Prince George, B.C.-  Public outcry  is being credited with  convincing the Federal Government to reverse its decision to ocean search and rescue services and educational programs  to teach  students  about wild salmon.

Cariboo-Prince George MP Todd Doherty welcomes the  news ““It is thanks to our grassroots movement, our teachers, parents and our conservationists who wrote in and put pressure on the government that we are seeing a reversal of these terrible decisions to cut programs that keep our Canadians safe, and ensure that our oceans, rivers, lakes and streams remain healthy for the next generation”  commented Doherty in a release issued shortly after the reversal was  announced.

Skeena Bulkley MP Nathan Cullen is also pleased “British Columbians depend on these programs and the proposed cuts were just wrong-headed,” says Cullen,  who adds “Cuts to these resources would have seriously impacted our BC coastal communities.”

The cuts reversal was announced at a meeting of the parliamentary Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans in Ottawa today.